AMPTE Ion Release Module magnetospheric tracer spacecraft
The German Ion Release Module (IRM) was one of three AMPTE spacecraft launched together on 16 August 1984. In a highly eccentric orbit it released barium and lithium tracer clouds into the solar wind and magnetosphere, enabling direct studies of plasma transport, acceleration, and interactions with the magnetospheric environment.
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Identity
- Aliases
- AMPTE/IRMIon Release ModuleIRMActive Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorer IRM
- Family Name
- AMPTE/IRM
- Full Name
- AMPTE Ion Release Module magnetospheric tracer spacecraft
- Roles
- orbiterobservatoryresearch
- Status
- retired
- Type
- spacecraft
Details
- Description
- The German Ion Release Module (IRM) was one of three AMPTE spacecraft launched together on 16 August 1984. In a highly eccentric orbit it released barium and lithium tracer clouds into the solar wind and magnetosphere, enabling direct studies of plasma transport, acceleration, and interactions with the magnetospheric environment.
- First Flight Year
- 1,984
- Last Flight Year
- 1,986
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Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 13, 2026 at 13:40:51 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 13, 2026 at 17:27:36 UTC